Objective: To study the effectiveness of auricular acupressure (AC) with and without magnetic plates in reducing anxiety and depression levels among parturients.

Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomized controlled trial conducted at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thammasat University Hospital, Pathum Thani, Thailand, between March 2022 and February 2023. All participants were term nulliparous pregnant women delivered who during the study period. Participants were randomly allocated into three groups with control for non-AC, study for AC with magnetic plates, and placebo for AC with non-magnetic plates. Three specific auricular points, namely Shenmen (HT7), Heart (CO15), and Subcortex (AT4) were selected. Thai Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Thai HADS) was evaluated at 2, 14, 28, and 42 days postpartum.

Results: Two hundred twenty-five cases were recruited and divided evenly into control, study, and placebo groups. The mean age of participants was 28.5 years old. Body mass index (BMI), education level, and demographic characteristics among the three groups were comparable. Prevalence of anxiety and depression was 4.4% (10/225) and 7.5% (17/225). Participants in placebo and study groups had statistically significant relief of anxiety levels within six weeks when compared to the control group. All subjects had lower depression scores within four weeks of delivery. AC with and without magnetic plates reduced postpartum depression compared to the control group. Satisfaction of AC was reported at 84% (126/150).

Conclusion: AC with or without magnetic plates at HT7, CO15, and AT4 significantly reduced anxiety and decreased depression with less confidence in postpartum subjects.

Keywords: Auricular acupressure; Anxiety; Depression; Postpartum; Magnetic plates

DOI: 10.35755/jmedassocthai.2023.11.13912

Received 2 June 2023 | Revised 10 October 2023 | Accepted 24 October 2023